“Don’t be such a pessimist!” I cackled as I headed for the door. “I won’t let Seri kill you!”
“Seri? I’m more worried abouthimwhen he sees this footage.”
“Worry about yourself, Zoodle.” Cas giggled. Fuck. Ing. Gig. Gled. “You don’t have a tiny hat.”
#
Casimir
The world tilted sideways as Zane hauled me down the hallway. My head lolled against his back, every step jostling thoughts loose before they could fully form.
“You’re spinning the house,” I accused, fingers tangling in his shirt.
“Nope. That’s all you, lightning boy. Remind me to spike your drinks more often. You’re almost tolerable like this.”
“Y’know what’s strange?” I informed his kidney, which was uncomfortably close to my nose. “Gravity. Very peculiar phenomenon. Shouldn’t work indoors.”
“Just don’t puke on me, Spark Plug.”
“The ceiling is following us.” I squinted at the ornate molding undulating overhead. “Very suspicious behavior for architecture.”
“Totally normal curse after effect.”
“Not cursed.” I tried to straighten indignantly, but only managed to flail one arm. “I’m magnificent.”
“Sure, Cas. Magnificent like a jellyfish in a blender.”
“You have stupid.” My fingers found his hair and gave it a tug.
“Stupid what?”
“Yes.”
“You’re high as a satellite. Hahaha! If only Lucian could see his golden boy now.”
He shouldered open our bedroom door. Moonlight pooled around Seri’s form curled beneath the duvet, Brumous’ head resting on her hip. As Zane dumped me onto the mattress, my vision fractured into three wolves, twelve brothers, and a constellation of dust motes swirling like enemy combatants.
“Shhhhhhh,” I hissed, pressing my finger against Zane’s lips and missing by several inches. “She’s sleeping.”
“No kidding.”
“We must be…” I searched for the word, finding it after what felt like a year. Proud of myself, I shouted, “Quiet!”
“Shutup, Casimir!” Zane hissed. “You’ll wake her!”
“Wake who?” I asked, then remembered. “Oh. Our wife. Our beloved. Seri-berry. Berry-Seri—”
Zane’s hand slapped over my mouth.
“Sanguine mortis, if you wake her up, I will personally shave your precious golden locks while you sleep!”
I licked his palm. He yelped and shoved me away.
“That’s disgusting!”
“What happened toshhhhing?” I attempted to sound authoritative, but it came out more like I was gargling marbles. “And why’s the room melting?”
“It’s not. You’re hallucinating.”
